A Labour-run cash strapped council has sparked fury after revealing plans to illuminate its local library in orange, green and white to mark India’s independence just hours after it showed the same courtesy to Pakistan. In a social media post, which has removed the ability for users to leave a comment, Birmingham City Council wrote: “Tonight we will be lighting the Library of Birmingham orange, green and white to mark the eve of 79th anniversary of India’s independence day which is celebrated on August 15.”
The building will be lit up after sunset this evening, according to the Birmingham council website. Tensions are already running high in the UK’s second-biggest city after the same library was a glowing spectacle last night, August 14, to mark the 77th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence, the same day as Falklands Day.
The council, which declared itself broke in September 2023, own streets are still buried under uncollected rubbish as its authority grapples with its ongoing bin strike.
Earlier this year Nigel Farage claimed there was 17,000 tonnes of uncollected waste on the streets of the UK’s second-biggest city and that it was like a scene from the First World War.
The flag row comes just days after Birmingham Council began removing flags, including the Union Jack and St George’s Cross, from lampposts after it said they were putting lives at risk.
The council said: “People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.”
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson “This is nothing short of a disgrace and shows utter contempt for the British people.
“We should be flying our flags with pride. Our nation has a rich history of hospitality, generosity and innovation – something to be celebrated, not condemned.”
Critics pointed out that Palestinian flags have flown elsewhere on the streets of the city, where 29.9 per cent of residents are Muslim, since the war in Gaza began in 2023.
Several residents have voiced their support and have begun displaying their own flags, requesting their roads be included next, or contributing to a GoFundMe campaign to buy additional ones.
Birmingham, which has been slashing public services in 2024 to balance its books has around £194 million owed across all accounts in council tax arrears.
